Yung Filly: Rape-accused UK rapper Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos pushing ahead with trial after WA return

The UK rapper fighting rape accusations in WA has made a grumpy return to court, pushing ahead with his looming trial and appointing a heavy-hitting barrister to represent him. The YouTuber known as Yung Filly — whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos — is facing six counts of sexual penetration without consent. He is also charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to their neck. The complainant alleges the 30-year-old committed the offences against her at his accommodation in Hillarys after a gig at Bar 1 on September 28, 2024. He was extradited from Queensland to Perth the following month and looked set for a long wait in WA ahead of a 10-day trial starting on July 20 this year. But in a surprise development, he was allowed to fly back to England for Christmas, residing at an address in the picturesque county of Kent. He had to return to WA by January 8 at the latest and once again surrender his passport to local authorities. Mr Barrientos faced a brief hearing in the District Court on Thursday and attempted to dodge waiting media as he arrived. He appeared displeased that the hearing started half an hour later than scheduled. The court was told trial counsel would be David Edwardson KC, a leading Adelaide barrister who recently represented Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright in his trial over a fatal helicopter crash. Both sides assured Judge Laurie Levy that preparations for Mr Barrientos’ trial were on track and his bail was renewed. He did not speak with reporters as he left. While in England, he had to have his mobile phone switched on - with location services enabled - at all times.